Lawsuit against Church Alleges Sexual Abuse

A lawsuit filed in Atlanta against a denominational church alleges that church officials frequently abused children, and then conspired with their superiors, in order to cover these acts.

A lawsuit filed in Atlanta against a denominational church alleges that church officials frequently abused children, and then conspired with their superiors, in order to cover these acts.

California sexual abuse lawyers are not unfamiliar with cases of sexual abuse filed against Catholic priests, but this lawsuit is filed against the Louisville-based Sovereign Grace Ministries. The lawsuit names the former chairman of the denomination, who recently resigned.

Two of the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit, allege that John Loftness repeatedly subjected them to physical as well as sexual abuse when they were younger. The abuse occurred several decades ago. In all, there are 11 plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The lawsuit also names several other plaintiffs, under pseudonyms, and at least one of these alleges that when he reported to Loftness that he was abused by a male church member, Loftness asked him to reenact the molestation, and then asked him to meet with the molester and forgive him.

The lawsuit is an expanded version of one that was filed last year. The lawsuit is seeking class-action status, and it accuses the denomination of undertaking a systematic cover-up of all abuse at the church.

The lawsuit makes horrific allegations, alleging that adult male members frequently abused young children, and then conspired to cover the crimes. The abuse was conducted at school buildings, church buildings, church retreats and other church-related events.

Loftness insists that all these allegations are baseless, and that he has never physically or sexually abused anyone.

Some of the allegations that are being made are horrific. Some of the members of the Sovereign Grace Ministries, according to the lawsuit, raped young girls, and penetrated them with foreign objects. There are also allegations of gang rape, including at least one at a church retreat.